Career and Education Opportunities for Archivists in Irvine, California

Archivists can find many career and educational opportunities in the Irvine, California area. The national trend for archivists sees this job pool growing by about 6.5% over the next eight years. Archivists generally appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents.

A person working as an archivist can expect to earn about $23 per hour or $49,470 annually on average in California and about $21 hourly or $45,020 per year on average in the U.S. as a whole. Incomes for archivists are better than in the overall category of Libraries and Museums in California, and better than the overall Libraries and Museums category nationally. People working as archivists can fill a number of jobs, such as: records manager, university archivist, and historical manuscripts curator.

There are 112 schools of higher education in the Irvine area, including two within twenty-five miles of Irvine where you can get a degree to start your career as an archivist. Given that the most common education level for archivists is a Master's degree, you can expect to spend about six years training to become an archivist if you already have a high school diploma, or just 2 years if you have a Bachelor's degree.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Archivist

Archivist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, archivists appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. They also participate in research activities based on archival materials.

Every day, archivists are expected to be able to see details at a very fine level of focus. They need to articulate ideas and problems. It is also important that they listen to and understand others in meetings.

It is important for archivists to authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials. They are often called upon to direct efforts of staff who help in arranging and maintaining collections of valuable materials. They also establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials. They are sometimes expected to develop and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electric data storage technology. Somewhat less frequently, archivists are also expected to direct educational and public outreach programs, such as tours and classes.

Archivists sometimes are asked to direct educational and public outreach programs, such as tours and classes. And finally, they sometimes have to establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.

Like many other jobs, archivists must be thorough and dependable and be reliable.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Irvine include:

Audio-Visual Director. Prepare, plan, and operate audio-visual teaching aids for use in education. May record, catalogue, and file audio-visual materials.

Curator. Administer affairs of museum and conduct research programs. Direct instructional, research, and public service activities of institution.

Kindergarten Teacher. Teach elemental natural and social science, personal hygiene, and literature to children from 4 to 6 years old. Promote physical, mental, and social development. May be required to hold State certification.

Librarian. Administer libraries and perform related library services. Work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, schools, colleges and universities, museums, corporations, government agencies, law firms, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers. Tasks may include selecting, acquiring, and maintaining library materials; and furnishing reference, bibliographical, and readers' advisory services. May perform in-depth, strategic research, and synthesize, analyze, and filter information. May set up or work with databases and information systems to catalogue and access information.

Library Information Technian. Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books; remove or repair damaged books; register patrons; check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who operate bookmobiles or light trucks that pull trailers to specific locations on a predetermined schedule and assist with providing services in mobile libraries.

Museum Technician. Prepare specimens, such as fossils, skeletal parts, and textiles, for museum collection and exhibits. May restore documents or install, arrange, and exhibit materials.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Archivist Training

Chapman University - Orange, CA

Chapman University, One University Dr., Orange, CA 92866. Chapman University is a medium sized university located in Orange, California. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 6,131 students and an admission rate of 50%. Chapman University has a bachelor's degree program in Art History, Criticism and Conservation which graduated six students in 2008.

University of California-Irvine - Irvine, CA

University of California-Irvine, , Irvine, CA 92697. University of California-Irvine is a large university located in Irvine, California. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 25,899 students and an admission rate of 56%. University of California-Irvine has a bachelor's degree program in Art History, Criticism and Conservation which graduated thirty-six students in 2008.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Irvine, California

Irvine, California photo by SoCal L.A.

Irvine is situated in Orange County, California. It has a population of over 207,500, which has grown by 45.0% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Irvine, 136, is far greater than the national average. New single-family homes in Irvine are valued at $283,000 on average, which is below the state average. In 2008, one hundred twenty-five new homes were built in Irvine, down from two hundred twenty-nine the previous year.

The three big industries for women in Irvine are educational services, professional, scientific, and technical services, and health care. For men, it is professional, scientific, and technical services, educational services, and computer and electronic products. The average travel time to work is about 23 minutes. More than 58.4% of Irvine residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 24.2%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Irvine is 7.3%, which is less than California's average of 12.3%.

The percentage of Irvine residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 44.8%, is less than the national average but more than the state average. The most common religious groups are the Catholic Church, the LDS (Mormon) Church and the Charismatic Churches Independent.

Irvine is home to the International Raceway and the Heritage Park Library as well as Heritage Park and Alderwood Park. Shopping centers in the area include Heritage Plaza Shopping Center, Alton Square Shopping Center and Arbor Village Shopping Center. Visitors to Irvine can choose from Atrium Hotel At Orange County Airport and Amerilodge Electronics for temporary stays in the area.